a representative of any non-profit group that provides services and facilities for the welfare of the people covered by the Act

the superintendent, licensee, supervisor or person in charge, if the person is a patient or a resident of a hospital, home or other institution

the welfare guardian of the person concerned, if one has been appointed

any other person with the court's permission.

The court can only make an Order for people who live in New Zealand. They must be at least 18 years old; if they’re younger, they must have been married or in a civil union or de factor relationship.

The person must either:

be completely or partly unable to understand what the decision is about, or to understand what could happen as a result of a decision about their property

have these abilities but be totally unable to make decisions (or say what they want) about how their property is to be managed.

More than one person can be appointed as a property manager. In this case, the managers have a joint responsibility unless the court decides otherwise. The court can also appoint a trustee corporation as a property manager.

After you apply

After the court receives your application for an Order, it will appoint a specialist lawyer who will meet with the person the Order is about and you. The lawyer will tell the court why the application has been made and what should happen next. The judge may decide to: